Clear Bra damage?

[SnakeFarm]

One of the things the Ancira people did was to put a "clear bra" on my "orphan". I told the people when I got on the list that I did not want it but hey, I figured an extra 300 bucks was just going to be the "orphan charge" Well...

I picked the car up Friday. I noticed an inordinate ammount of bubbles in the bra but I know those usually out-gas in about a week. No real big deal. Saturday morning I noticed one of the bubble looked black. It looked like it was in the clear bra so I was going to just pulll the ugly-assed thing off and forget about it but the mark was actually in the paint!

After I quit hyperventillating I took it back to Ancira and at first they just pointed me to service but then said the clear-bra guy would come take a look at it "right away" then they came back with a note that said the guy would not be back in town until Wednesday or Thursday. I had peeled back about ten inches of the plastic cover which was just flapping around so the sales manager cut off that section with his handy pocket knife.

My therory is that whatever chemical they used to apply the clear-bra (alcohol?) may have dissolved the paint under that bubble. I'm not sure what they expect the clear-bra guy to do but they said he could fix the paint.

I'm going to call smartusa this morning just to document the whole thing.

I'd really like Ancira to A) get me a new red hood panel at least or, B) a whole set of yellow, black or white so the damned paint won't come off.

Don't get the wrong impression. Other than this one issue, I am wildly happy with this car. My first tank got 38 MPG in mixed driving WITH the AC on most of the time.

[Fredvon4]

Snake

I have a secondary opinion.... or, really just some random thoughts

The smart metallic red, blue, and silver are water based paints that smart is all proud of because of the reduced VOCs and their "green" philosophy

In Europe the early 07 451's experienced a fair amount of forum posts about damage to the front of the car from road trash and it was generally attributed to the paint still being not fully cured....

Most of the 3M products (I have no idea if the Ancira stuff was 3M) use a contact adhesive that is paint safe and has zero solvents that soften paint.

However there is a significant caution in the product literature to NOT use on new paint until full cure. This can be several weeks for a solvent based paint... I think the caution is because the clear film will slow down the cure

I have zero experience with water based automotive paints so no real world experience on full cure time.

I had expected that our great distance from the factory would suggest better cure just because of the longer transit time...perhaps that thought was wrong

I do note that smart has a real low% of quality control problems historically.... BUT they, like all mass produced manufactures, do have a known failure rate on many of the car's components...

What I am getting at: It is entirely possible that the plastic panel was contaminated some way during paint prep and you may have had an issue with that panel even withOUT the clear bra

[SnakeFarm]

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

Snake
What I am getting at: It is entirely possible that the plastic panel was contaminated some way during paint prep and you may have had an issue with that panel even withOUT the clear bra

I thought about that as well and it is entirely possible. It's just hard to tell when the clear-bra is involved.

[bigcritter]

I just have a question about the various paint protection products. Are they really worth the money??? I've been quoted $800 to protect my new smart fortwo passion, with blue metallic paint, and another owner who has it recommended it. What is the general consensus on this stuff? It's a lot of money to pay for Saran Wrap, if that's basically all it is. Also, if they have touch-up paint made by smart for the blue metallic, which evidently they do, what would be the major benefit of spending that much money on the paint protection?? Any thoughts welcome and appreciated!

[Dunerunner]

I read in another thread that new body panels cost $899 - $1099 depending on whether they are molded or painted and that's for the whole car. The nose piece can't run more than $300. That's three sets for the price of the plastic wrap.

Just can't stay on topic!! Fredvon4 has something with the water based paints theory. I am very interested in what the 3M guy and your dealer come up with. I have the clearbra on my Passion but mine is yellow so the color is molded into the panel.

[SnakeFarm]

No, it is NOT worth it. I called the parts desk and they said they could order me the service flap for 175 painted.

The clearbra salesman came out to my place of employement and denied that his product caused the damage. He said he was going to the dealer to do some more installs (hey, more orphans at smartcentersantantoniotexasusa?) and that he would let them know and see what they wanted to do.

If I were in their position, I'd buy me a new hood just for the good-will factor.

But no, they want to sell their friggin Saran wrap.

Oh, and it MIGHT make some sort of sense on a painted color but it makes no sense at ALL on a molded in color. I just wish smart would have been able to mold them all in.

oh well...

[brian r]

I've used this on a couple of cars. I'd agree that on the smart it's not worth it. Although on my Lotus, it's really stupid to not have it. The car is so low and the paint will be sandblasted quickly. It's offered by the factory and is warranted, and comes all the way around the lower car as well as the "hood".

I've also applied it and yes, alcohol is used in a dilute solution to install it. first dilute soapy water is applied so the film can be slid into place, than the alcohol is sprayed at the edges. It creeps under the film and displaces the water, making the film stick when the water is squeeged out. I've never heard of it harming the paint, but maybe the installer used undiluted alcohol.

BTW, the only products to consider are the ones made with 3M film. Everything else will yellow over time or peel.

[SnakeFarm]

The installer came buy day before yesterday to look at it the damage and his theory seems to be that I maliciously lifted up the wonder-film and scratched up the paint. I enjoy this theory for it's shear creativity but I WOULD kind of like to know what my motive was supposed to be.

He demonstrated his argument saying" That was not there when we put the material on." I tried to tell him that it seemed to develope over time but the concept seemed to elude him.

He said he was going directly to the dealership to reveal his findings and we would just have to wait and see what they decided but oddly enough, I never heard A WORD from smartcentersanantoniotexasusaofamericernestoaancir awintonjeepchevoroletaudihundymitzubishifordcrysle rplymouthsaturntoyotadodgelinclonmercury.

What I have decided is that my approval rating for this dealership is slipping fast.

[bucketboss]

In a discussion with a 3M rep at the SEMA show, he said that 3M itself warrenteed the installation for life. Their installers are trained by the factory. If there is a problem and it is a 3M product you may be able to go direct to 3M for resolution. It might be worth a try. Find out who's film it is.

Dave

[rrrucke]

I would report them to the Better Business Bureau, Consumer Affairs, Attorney General, your local TV station, smartUSA, Mercedes Benz and whoever else you can think of. Why would a new owner damage their new smart after waiting a year to get one? That's just stupid!! Good luck, Regina